Lufthansa’s ‘we fly home’ deals

In the airline industry they call it "VFR" travel: visiting friends and relatives. It’s big business, with airlines competing for fliers’ favor.

Lufthansa is promoting precisely these kinds of discount airfares with its "We Fly Home" deals.

The deals to India from the United States start as low as $1,721 round-trip. That’s the price of passage on the New York (JFK) to Delhi (DEL) route. Flights to Chennai from Kennedy are $1,875.

From Detroit (DTW), fly round-trip to Chennai for $1,901, and to Delhi for $1,746.

From San Francisco (SFO), a round-trip ticket on Lufthansa to Delhi can be had for $1,978. Mumbai (SFO) from SFO goes for the same rate.

Washington Dulles (IAD) to Chennai is $1,901, and the IAD to Mumbai discount airfare $1,746.

With the increased level of commerce between the United States and India, and attendant relocations of executives, lots of families are flying back and forth to the subcontinent. That’s what makes these discount airfares so important.

There are restrictions. Here are the most important ones. Seats are limited. You’ve got to stay at least one Saturday night, and not remain more than three months. No more than four passengers may reserve seats on one booking. Tickets have to be purchased at least five days in advance, and no longer than 360 days before departure. While there’s a connection in Germany, no stopovers there are allowed on these fares.

If you plan to fly on weekends, a surcharge may apply, and, of course, these "We Fly Home" fares don’t include taxes and fees. Finally, if you need to re-book, there’s a $200 fee, and you’ll have to do that through Lufthansa’s help desk.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler